To forgive is not to forget. The merit lies in loving in spite of the vivid knowledge that one that must be loved is not a friend. There is not merit in loving an enemy when you forget him for a friend.
Mahatma GandhiRead
You don't know who is important to you until you actually lose them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We often take people for granted and only realize their importance when they are no longer in our lives.
This quote by Mahatma Gandhi emphasizes the idea that we often do not appreciate the people who are significant to us until they are gone. It serves as a reminder to cherish our relationships and to recognize the value that others bring into our lives while we have the opportunity to do so.
Themes
ImportanceLossAppreciationRelationshipsValue
In practice
Example use cases
During a funeral speech, to highlight the significance of a loved one.
More from Mahatma Gandhi
All quotes βLove never claims, it ever gives. Love ever suffers, never resents never revenges itself.
Mahatma GandhiRead
Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
Mahatma GandhiRead
The real test of nonviolence lies in its being brought in contact with those who have contempt for it.
Mahatma GandhiRead
Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
Mahatma GandhiRead
The devotion of such titans of spirit as Lenin to an Ideal must bear fruit. The nobility of his selflessness will be an example through centuries to come, and his Ideal will reach perfection.
Mahatma GandhiRead
Similar quotes
Asking someone to be with us turns out to be an impossibly demanding and therefore pretty mean thing to suggest to anyone we would really want the best for.
Alain De BottonRead
Having a loving relationship with our spouse or with our children is what leads to the long-term happiness we all seek.
Clayton M. ChristensenRead
We like other people to show themselves to us as they really are.
AesopRead
Here's what I've learned about deal-breakers. If you have enough natural chemistry with someone, you overlook every single thing that you said would break the deal.
Taylor SwiftRead
Helping others is the way we help ourselves.
Oprah WinfreyRead
The unblemished ideal exists only in happily-ever-after fairy tales. Ruth likes to say, "If two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary." The sooner we accept that as a fact of life, the better we will be able to adjust to each other and enjoy togetherness. "Happily incompatible" is a good adjustment.
Billy GrahamRead